try to draw a tiger but end up with something like a dog; attempt something ambitious and fail
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesidiom
try to draw a tiger but end up with something like a dog; attempt something ambitious and fail miserably
formalUsed to describe the attempt to imitate or emulate something beyond one's abilities, which results in a ridiculous or inferior outcome. Often carries a note of criticism or irony towards a clumsy attempt. The variant '画虎类犬 (huà hǔ lèi quǎn)' is also commonly used.
He tried to create something in the master's style, but he ended up drawing a tiger like a dog, and the work appeared very clumsy.
This knockoff building wanted to replicate a classical palace, but due to inferior materials, it became a classic example of trying to draw a tiger and getting a dog.
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When learning calligraphy, one must proceed step by step; being hasty for results is bound to end in a clumsy imitation.
His new policy was seen as a blind imitation of a successful model, ultimately amounting to nothing more than a poor copy.